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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Willy Adames has been preparing for spring training for quite some time, having been active in Arizona for nearly a month. As he gears up to join the San Francisco Giants, the first full-squad workout held on Monday filled him with anticipation.
“It arrives at a stage during daily practice when you think, ‘I’m ready for spring training to kick off,’ and today marked that beginning,” shared Adames. “I can’t really complain; everything has been going wonderfully.”
Adames’ move to the Giants is a significant highlight of the team’s offseason strategy after finishing the last season with an 80-82 record. The experienced shortstop sealed a substantial seven-year contract worth $182 million, leaving behind the Milwaukee Brewers where he had spent over three seasons.
Transitioning to a new club can be challenging, especially under the weight of a lucrative deal, but Adames is applying lessons learned from past trades. “Having been dealt twice has made it easier for me to integrate with teammates and establish comfort,” he noted, mentioning his successful batting practice on Monday where he hit a home run. “That’s the reason I’ve been here for the past month; I wanted to build relationships with the guys before the official start of spring training.”
At 29, Adames carries a history of trades, starting as a minor league talent in Detroit before being traded to Tampa Bay in July 2014 as part of a three-team exchange. After making his major league debut in 2018, he had a productive tenure with the Rays until being traded to Milwaukee in May 2021.
His stint with the Brewers saw him become one of the elite shortstops in the league, boasting career-best numbers with 32 home runs, 112 RBIs, 93 runs, 153 hits, and 21 steals over 161 games last season.
“Adames is a distinctive talent, which is why we pursued him. We believed he’d make an immediate impact,” stated San Francisco’s manager Bob Melvin. “I doubt he’ll face any substantial transition issues.”
Though Adames showcased impressive offensive skills last season, he also faced defensive struggles, amassing a career-high of 20 errors, with six occurring in a challenging nine-game period in August. He acknowledged his dip in confidence but is determined to maintain his resolve moving forward, saying, “I’ve regained my confidence and plan to continue being the same player.”
Aiding Adames will be third baseman Matt Chapman, a five-time Gold Glove recipient, who is also contracted long-term with the Giants after signing a six-year deal worth $151 million last September. “I’m excited about partnering with him on the field. I know he’s going to handle everything,” Adames expressed. “He even assured me I wouldn’t need to worry about the backhand plays, so I just have to focus on improving my glove-side plays.”
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